[Agrajag]

You could make them quite strong, even give them 10+ protection, but in return make them go mostly unequipped ("Why should I use that little shard of metal, I have my shark claws! Why should I use that leather costume, I have my sleek scales to protect me! etc.").
If you make all/most of their abilities innate, and make them go unequipped you could still have a lot of variety, without making them too strong.

Just as an example you could have a clan of black dragon warriors, who specialize in melee combat and thus have stronger scales (more protection and defense) and better combat skills (more attack/strength) but have no fire breath, compared to a tribe of green dragon fire breathers, which excel in long range attacks using their fire breathing, etc.

Just my 2 Agorot.